Sea Otter Classic was the platform for a possible new downhill frame that KHS Bicycles is testing. Here’s a few pictures, courtesy of Mike Lord.
Logan Bingelli working on the new frame.
Photo during practice.
I’m looking forward to seeing if this frame will make it into production.
Popularity: 2% [?]
I struggled for a couple days to write the review of the KHS Lucky 7. I kept transitioning from reviewing the bike to telling stories about the bike. Finally, I’ve decided that’s exactly what I’m going to do. What follows, is the story of my time aboard this bike. The trips, the rides and the races that the KHS Lucky 7 carried me through. Watch for the review in the upcoming weeks.
The Lucky 7 has been my go to gravity bike this year. Team sponsor KHS cycles has been nice enough to grant me extended time with this demo bike, on the condition it is raced and that I share the results.
Though designed for free-ride use, the Lucky 7 is the go to bike for the KHS race team at smaller DH race courses. However a thorough resume is not a prerequisite for hopping aboard the Lucky 7 and getting the most out of the experience. I was a casual mountain biker, I owned one trail bike and rode two or three times a month. I had other hobbies and interests that split my time. From 2006 till November 2008, that was my riding experience. That’s when I met RL through this very blog and eventually the rest of the Mtnbikeriders team. Which led me into single-speeding, then XC racing and eventually DH racing. So as I, a true newbie to downhill, I began my time with the Lucky 7. The first race [Southridge Winter Series, 2/22/2009, 13th out of 14] was a disaster! I did manage to get the durability testing out of the way immediately, though!
The next race [Southridge Winter Series Finals, 3/22/2009, 10th out of 20] was a lot better! With no dirt naps in-store for me. I began to see the capabilities in the bike and the potential I had to become competitive [in Beginner Men 27-34]. Unfortunately, I would be without the Lucky 7 after this point until a shuttle session at Telonics a couple weeks before the 3rd race of the Golden State series in Fontana on 07/12/2009.
In Telonics I got to ride some real DH terrain on the Lucky 7 and it was amazing! It’s just a forgiving bike that soaks up the small and big hits. We had a ton of fun and burned through a set of brake pads in the process! Now onto the race, with a two run format and no “wall” to pedal, this is the closest to a true DH race located in So-Cal nowadays. With a fresh new attitude on DH riding and fresh legs (normally I race XC the day before the DH race), I was able to put together “the run of my life” I recall telling Tony at the bottom. What a rush! To have a clean DH run, one where I honestly felt I rode as fast as I possibly could, clean without any mistakes, I get excited thinking about it! The result was a 3rd place and my first DH podium.
Next up was Mammoth mountain, now this is a true DH race. On a mountain with loose pumice, a nasty rock section, a wall ride and a finish through the 4x track. Mammoth lived up to its name, with a fast race run coming in 4 minutes, the track was over a minute longer than any Fontana run. The Lucky 7 was beautiful here, through the steep sections, over the jumps and pedaling the straights. We were a team, and we were determined to make it to the podium. Well, we did better than podium, we won!
So, now here we are near the year end. The 18th annual Southridge classic has just concluded (though I’m gonna make you wait for that story). Be sure to check out the upcoming Lucky 7 review and review the 1st impression here. It’s funny, we’re so used to reviews coming from expert and pro riders. It’s true that they can push a bike to it’s limits, but couldn’t they ride almost any bike down the Mountain? Wouldn’t a bike we (mountain bike enthusiast) consider stable and comforting seem slow and unresponsive to them? Anyways, if you don’t want to read a review from a Beginner DH racer, don’t worry. I’m moving up to sport the first race next year. I’ve got to say thanks one more time by the way to KHS Bicycles and their our Lucky 7. Don’t forget to check out the KHS SixFifty 606 too.
Popularity: 7% [?]
The NEWEST weapon in the KHS arsenal… The 2010 sixfifty606. 650B wheels, “kick-ass” component spec. Contact your local KHS dealer for more details!
Popularity: 8% [?]
I’ve been testing the XCT 555 for a few months with an intention of using this bike for EVERY type of riding that I do.
Originally I asked KHS Bicycles for a frame, but when the big cheeses told me they had a complete bike, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to ride it.
Before I go on with the details of how this bike performs, let’s talk about the meat and veggies of this ride. Below are the specs…and if you notice, this bike doesn’t skimp on quality components.
Specs:
Cost: $2299
Frame AL6061 4-bar Horst bearing linkage, 5.5″ Travel
Rear Shock Rock Shox Monarch 3.1, Solo Air, ext rebound adjust and floodgate dial
Fork Marzocchi 44 TST2 140mm w/15mm drop outs, air preload, TST2, Lock Out, Compression & rebound adjust
Headset Cane Creek ZST2 Threadless, Zero stack
Rims WTB Speed Disc doublewall, w/eyelets
Hubs Front: Alloy disc, Rear: Shimano disc, QR
Tires WTB Wolverine 26X2.2, folding, 60TPI
Spokes 14G black, 32°
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur SRAM X-9
Shifters SRAM X-7 Trigger
Chain KMCZ9000 w/Missing Link
Crankset Truvativ Firex 3.1, 44/32/22, Alloy CNC Outer ring
Bottom Bracket Truvativ GXP outboard cartridge bearing
Cassette SRAM PG-950 11-34 9-Speed
Pedals Shimano PD-M505 clipless (not included with my test model)
Seatpost Q2 Light alloy
Saddle WTB Silverado
Handlebar Truvativ XR, 31.8, Butted, 20mm rise
Stem Truvativ Team
Grips WTB Weirwolf
Brake Levers Hayes Stroker Ryde
Brakes Hayes Stroker Ryde, 7″ front/6″ rear
Color Afterburner Gray
Frame Size S, M, L
Photos courtesy of JS3 Images
Ok, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get movin’ on the ride details of this bike. If you’ve been keeping up with MtnBikeRiders.com, you’ve seen multiple articles, talking about the KHS XCT 555. One of the things I wanted to really find out was to see how versatile this bike was. KHS Bicycles designed their XCT line with the consumer in mind. They wanted a bike that someone could use for all their mountain biking needs. The intended customer for this bike would be a person that rides XC, fast single track, and even the occasional butt hole puckering gnarly and technical trails.
Photos courtesy of JS3 Images
With that in mind, my heart was focused on seeing if the intent of this bike could be fulfilled. One thing I am certain about the XCT 555, it is SUPER durable and after many…many crashes with it, the wheels are true, the bike still shifts like butter and it still shines as if was new.
Photos courtesy of JS3 Images
Let’s talk about the XC side of this bike. I weighed the the XCT 555 and it came in around 27lbs. Not bad, but it also isn’t anorexic. For XC riding this bike is light enough, but if you’re a weight weenie, it may not make it on your list of light bikes. For the weight that it is, the bike isn’t sluggish. It responds well, super quick, very nimble and can climb like a billy goat. I’ve taken this bike through various trails in Southern California and I gotta tell you this bike knows XC riding like a favorite uncle.
Since we’re done talking about XC, let’s get into the real fun stuff…Downhill. Yes I said downhill. Believe it or not, but the XCT 555 makes an EXCELLENT downhill bike. Trust me on this…in fact, the KHS Factory Team often use the XCT 555 on certain downhill courses when racing…its true, I’ve seen them! Anyhow, I’ve taken the 555 to Fontana many times and I LOVE how this bike handles. I can pedal up the hill, then lower my saddle and bomb down just as fast…or faster than some guys with 8″ travel DH bikes. Oh and get this…the bike LOVES it when you take it through technical courses. The Horst Link in the rear makes for some awesome riding. The Rock Shox Monarch is buttery smooth and it has never failed on me. The Marzocchi 44 TST2 140mm fork does a great job in soaking up rock gardens, drops and single track. I almost forgot to mention that the XCT 555 comes with a 13.1″ bottom bracket clearance, which is great when needing to clear a rock garden or a log on the trail.
I know what you’re thinking…”The KHS XCT 555 only has 5.5″ of travel, how can you take that thing downhilling?” Well to answer that question, I just do and guess what… you can and its SUPER FUN! There’s nothing like riding a short travel, DH bike…I feel that you get more control and response from a little bike than you would on a big bike.
On one of the downhill shuttle runs we did, we drove to Top of the World in Orange County and dropped into Telonics. This trail is super steep and very fast. Parts of the single track is carved out like a chute. This was the first real time that I was able to test the Hayes Stroker Ryde, with the 7″ rotor in the front and 6″ rear. In previous rides, the brakes stopped me like a bad habit. No issues whatso ever. But during the ride through Telonics, I experienced brake fade. At one point, we’re going so fast that when I grabbed a fist full of brake, I’d started to slow down, but then the rotors got too hot and then the power went out. I had to feather them on the way down just so I wouldn’t over heat them again. It seems like the faster I go on this bike, the better it performs. I kid you not, the KHS XCT 555 is one serious bike!
By the way, the XCT 555 is an awesome 4x bike. I’ve spent many occasions practicing the 4x track at Fontana. All I can say is that this bike is pretty much the perfect bike…It can do just about anything you want it to do…well except make you breakfast.
Did you know that there are other brands of bikes out there that have the same amount of travel as the 555, but their frame alone cost as much as the complete KHS. Crazy eh? What’s cool about the XCT 555 is that you get a boutique quality bike but at generic prices…Plus you only need one bike to do everything you want to do on a mountain bike.
As I’ve mentioned, the KHS XCT 555 is the best bang for your buck, why? It’s simple really. The way the bike is spec’d, there’s no need to change anything out when you get it from the bike shop. The bike is ready to roll! Take it XC riding, or go to your favorite downhill trail, once your done with all that, take it to the BMX or 4X track and have some fun. This bike literally can do anything you would want a mountain bike to do, its light, fast, very flickable, and its ultra durable. You also have to consider that for the price of the KHS XCT 555…around $2300, you’re getting 3 bikes in one…a fast XC bike, 4X Machine and Downhill Rig…and that’s exactly why the KHS XCT 555 is the best bang for YOUR Buck!
Don’t waste your money on “brand name bikes” get yourself the KHS XCT 555, you won’t regret it…trust me.
Popularity: 16% [?]
After a hard week at work, I was looking forward to racing again. No matter how much I searched the net, there were a few pictures and few information about the Woodward West races. We hope that with our race reports, we can give future racers an insight about this super fun race.
As we arrive to the venue, we parked along side the road, there was hardly any parking. No biggie. Joe and I suited up and we took the shuttle up to the top. We signed up (it was nice to know that the ladies recognized me) and we took our first run.
The course was fast, loose and with a couple of small rock gardens. A course that really didn’t suit me. Don’t ask me why, but I always have an issue with twisty, sweepy type of courses. I didn’t have trouble with the upper rock garden like Joe did, I simply let the suspension of the KHS DH200 do its work over the rocks.
Not being a “lander” (I can jump, I just can’t land),I pumped through the different table tops and doubles (I really have to learn how to land). I was having a heck of a time with the last right hander to the table top and the second to the last left turn as I was over shooting it.
Kim “The Champ” gave me some great advice on how to get over those two turns, she said “just look at the inside line, the bike will follow”. Well, she IS our champ for a reason, on my last 2 practice runs I totally nailed those two turns.
On my first race run, I had a very clean run, I was extremely happy with myself and when I looked at my time, I was 1 second ahead of Joe and 10 seconds behind third place. Here’s an interesting tidbit, my team mate Joe goes from “Just Joe” on the practice runs to “J. Sizzzle” comes race time. Joe was a bit disappointed on his first run and he had room for improvement. I was happy with my run and I didn’t really know how to improve it.
For my second run, my primarily goal was to do the same thing that I did on my first run and avoid making a mistake. I knew that the pressure was on Joe, and even though a second may not seem much, in racing, it is.
I did manage to improve my time on my second run by almost 2 seconds, but J. Sizzzle did it again, coming from behind and improving his last run by almost 3 1/2 seconds just edging The Moe out by 7/10ths of a second for the combined runs and a podium finish.
All I can say is that I had a great time racing. I came up a little short but that is racing. I’m just happy to see myself improving and my confidence building every time I race downhill.
Big thanks to our sponsors: KHS Bicycles, HossMTB, Evomo, Ergon, and Serfas Optics, which by the way it is the Official Eyewear provider of Team MtnBikeRiders.com
Popularity: 5% [?]
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